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October 17, 2013

Having been a professional 3D modeler since 1991*, I've learned how important it is to have a fast and fluid shortcut setup. Also being a designer (which includes usability and ergonomic factors), along the years I've developed my own input system, which I now adapt to all 3D applications that I use which allow this kind of customization. Until Maya 2013 my implementation of the system was limited to what the software allowed, since it still lacked many key functions I've grown used to in Modo and Lightwave. Thanks to Maya 2014 adoption of the excellent Nex plugin - rebranded to Modeling Toolkit - I felt it was time to wrap it all up in a full new implementation of this input model, which I call poWaKeys. Besides simply remapping shortcuts, PoWaKeys also include simple yet powerful Mel scripts of my own authorship, which make using Maya for modeling and Animation as easy and swift as possible.

All shortcuts are described in the package's included readme.txt, divided in functionality sections. Third party freeware Mel script authors are also properly credited, just bear in mind that most included versions are modified or extended for poWaKeys usage.

Of course this would amount to nothing if you couldn't see it in action to learn its actual workflow, so I've put up a video tutorial on it:

Who's MaDDoX?

Breno Azevedo Silva (@brenoazevedo) aka MaDDoX is a veteran game maker and 3D graphics artist. His main drive in life is making games that can reach, touch and entertain as many people as possible. Along twelve years at the conceptual and technological forefront of 3D games and graphics, MaDDoX has developed extensive proficiency with 3D modeling, realistic sculpting, rendering and character animation. Out-of-the-box thinker, his profound and holistic vision of game balance and design is his trademark, having collaborated and worked for major game studios like Electronic Arts, Blizzard and Bitmap Brothers. His name can be found in the credits of three triple-A titles published by EA Los Angeles.

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Welcome to my corner. If you love digital games and graphics and instead of cold copy-and-paste comments you'd rather insightful, smart - and, most often than not, downright acid - words from a veteran in both industries, you've come to the right place. Feel at home and comment away!